Online retailers continue to lead taxable sales for Douglas

Douglas County merchants reported $97.3 million in taxable sales during the month of May, according to figures released by the Nevada Department of Taxation earlier this month.

Reporting comes out about two months after the month when the sales taxes are collected.

The total indicates an 8.7 percent increase over May 2023, which saw $89.5 million in sales.

Nonstore retailers, which includes online shopping, led the month again with $12.6 million, up a whopping 41 percent over $8.9 million collected in May 2023. The category has posted $135.1 million during the fiscal year, which ends June 30. That’s a 37 percent increase over the prior year.

Brick and mortar retailers, such as the two Walmarts and Target located in Douglas County, posted a 3.2 percent increase for May, bringing in $10.47 million during the month. General merchandise stores reported a 1.2 percent increase for the first 11 months of the fiscal year.

Food services and drinking places, mostly driven by Stateline casinos, reported a .5 percent decrease, bringing in $10.3 million during May. Accommodations were up 15.9 percent to $3.67 million, while the amusement, gambling and recreation category was up 15.9 percent to $3.67 million.

Gaming revenues were reported down 9.48 percent in May to $17.6 million in Stateline, while June’s win was down 12.59 percent to $19.28 million, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.

The Stateline casinos were down 2.23 percent to $245.8 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year ending on June 30.

Taxable sales for building materials and garden equipment and supplies were up 15.3 percent in June to $7.4 million. The year was essentially flat with a .5 percent decrease. Home furnishing purchases were up 21 percent during the month, which improved a .9 percent decrease for the year. Electronics and appliance purchases were down 7.1 percent in Douglas to $1.7 million for May.

Home sales for the second quarter of 2024 were down to their lowest level since the Great Recession with 178 in Carson Valley, according to the Douglas County Assessor’s Office. Sales between March 1 and Sept. 30 tend to be the highest during the year.

The Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors said there were 57 closed home sales in July, down 9.5 percent in Douglas County. The active inventory was up 8.6 percent to 201 homes with 92 new listings during the month.